Which statement best describes sarcopenia body composition changes?

Which statement best describes sarcopenia body composition changes?

• A. Decreased fat mass and increased lean mass
• B. Increased fat mass and decreased lean mass
• C. Increased fat mass and increased lean mass
• D. Decreased fat mass and decreased lean mass

Answer: (B)

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, often accompanied by an increase in fat mass. As lean body mass declines, metabolic rate and activity often decrease, leading to greater fat accumulation. So the pattern most consistent with sarcopenia is increased fat mass together with decreased lean mass. The other patterns—loss of fat with loss of lean, gain of both fat and lean, or loss of lean with fat unchanged—do not reflect the typical muscle loss and relative fat gain seen in sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, often accompanied by an increase in fat mass. As lean body mass declines, metabolic rate and activity often decrease, leading to greater fat accumulation. So the pattern most consistent with sarcopenia is increased fat mass together with decreased lean mass. The other patterns—loss of fat with loss of lean, gain of both fat and lean, or loss of lean with fat unchanged—do not reflect the typical muscle loss and relative fat gain seen in sarcopenia.